Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that 19-year-old Cristian Iban Carbajal pled no contest to the felony vehicular manslaughter of Jade Dodson, and admitted the special allegations of causing great bodily injury resulting in a coma or brain injury to Robert Caroag, and causing great bodily injury to Isabel Dodson. Carbajal also pled no contest to three counts of driving recklessly causing great bodily injury.

This crime occurred on June 18, 2013, at the intersection of Broadway and McCoy in the City of Santa Maria. Carbajal was street racing and reached estimated speeds of up to 80 miles per hour on Broadway. As he reached the intersection of Broadway and McCoy, he sped through a red light and caused a five-car collision. Carbajal's vehicle hit the vehicle driven by 19-year-old Robert Caroag containing passengers, 18-year-old Jade Dodson and 7-year-old Isabel Dodson. As a result of Carbajal's actions, Jade Dodson was killed, Robert Caroag suffered traumatic brain injuries, and Isabel Dodson sustained facial lacerations. Carbajal's blood tested positive for marijuana.

Carbajal will be sentenced by the Honorable Judge Rick Brown on March 7, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. There was no plea bargain made with the District Attorney's Office; Carbajal's plea was made to the Court. The District Attorney's Office will be seeking the maximum sentence of 14 years in state prison.